Neil
]]>ndwgolfhttps://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?149573-Rubber-PlantationYour Best Photograph from the Previous Month - Critique and Discussion Encouragedhttps://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?149540-Your-Best-Photograph-from-the-Previous-Month-Critique-and-Discussion-Encouraged&goto=newpost
Sat, 15 Dec 2018 01:42:32 GMTIn response to a recent thread (https://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?149481-Critiques-and-Discussion-what-are-they), I would...In response to a recent thread, I would like to start an image-sharing thread dedicated to showing your best, most recent work, with critique and discussion of photographs implicitly allowed and encouraged. Some "ground rules:"

One image per month. The intent here is to share what you think is your best work from the previous month - either shot or developed, since I know some take a while to get to the development part. Multiple images specifically shot to be a diptych or triptych and presented as such are okay, but let's try to keep the thread more focused towards quality and not quantity, which also doesn't overwhelm and bury new photographs. Some leeway is fine with images shot near/at the end/beginning of the month - let's just not spam the thread is the point.

Helpful critiques and discussion. There are already threads for those specifically asking for critique on a given image or theme, but my idea here is an open forum where one can give helpful comments, either what they find compelling or what could be improved, if they choose. All images are implicitly open to discussion in this thread, and let's try to keep the surface-level "Great!" kind of comments to a minimum. Both technical and artistic comments welcome. Critiques should not be given with harsh or derogatory terms, and follow all overarching forum guidelines.

Technical details and artistic intent by the photographer. Please include relevant details on how you shot the image, and also what your thought-process or intent was for the photograph. Feel free to also include some thoughts yourself on what you did well and/or could improve on in the future.

Be open to back-and-forth discussion. Your critique should not be given as gospel. Be open to discussion on the image and/or your comments on said photograph. Take all critiques in the spirit they were given, with the knowledge that acting on critique is still the purview of the photographer.

Let's see how it goes folks. I am not a mod and can't enforce the above, and don't want to add workload to the current mods, so let's all try to keep things civil and helpful. I will be happy to kick-off the thread here in a moment with an image from November.
]]>Corranhttps://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?149540-Your-Best-Photograph-from-the-Previous-Month-Critique-and-Discussion-EncouragedCritiques and Discussion-- what are they?https://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?149481-Critiques-and-Discussion-what-are-they&goto=newpost
Tue, 11 Dec 2018 02:07:07 GMTThe Large Format Landscapes forum is a favorite of mine, but when regarding critiques and efficient use of space, I think it could be greatly...The Large Format Landscapes forum is a favorite of mine, but when regarding critiques and efficient use of space, I think it could be greatly improved. The relevant LFPF guideline reads:

Image Sharing (LF) & Discussion - Post your own large-format images (based on 4"x5" or larger format) for sharing and discussion. Critiques should only be offered if requested by the original poster.

There is a range of meanings for the word "critique", according to dictionaries, and in essence, it does not necessarily have to be negative. Most posters don't request a critique, so in these cases I would expect just the image to be posted and that's it, but there are so many comments that could be considered critiques, (e.g., great composition! love the mood, etc.) I figured the rule was not strictly enforced. Recently I made a short comment about an image being too dark, and the moderator removed it (and a similar one from another poster) because it was considered a critique, and the original poster did not request critiques. I am not upset about my post removal at all, but I wonder why the positive critiques are allowed, but not the negative ones.

A critique is nearly synonymous with "judgement", and although "judgement" or "being judgemental" usually has a negative connotation, a judgement in a court of law, for example, is positive for some, and negative for others. Maybe a photographer wants an image to be "too dark", and a comment saying it is "too dark" could be viewed as positive.

What is the difference between discussion and critique? Given the above, it would be hard to discuss an image without crossing the very vague line into critique.

Also, is there a bandwidth/file storage issue when an image is repeated many times in subsequent posts, due to comments below them in replies? Bandwidth aside, I find it tedious to wade through the same image many times to get to a new one, the ususal difference being a short comment below.

My suggested improvement is to:

1. Have a forum that allows critiques as a default, and substantial ones at that (both technical and aesthetic aspects), and careful editing of the replies to leave out the image, but reference it somehow. The original poster should name the image for reference.

2. Another forum could be for image sharing, with no comments at all.

3. Alternatively, clarify critique so that we know when the rules are being broken. This would take some thought and discussion from forum users, but is probably the best way to go about it.

This would require a big change, as the current LF image sharing forums would have to be closed to be efficient about it, assuming my concerns are valid or important enough to consider.

Before posting this, I searched the LFP website about critiques and read through them. There is some overlap but I think this one's unique enough to be a new post.
]]>mmerighttps://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?149481-Critiques-and-Discussion-what-are-theyMore Dry Plateshttps://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?149470-More-Dry-Plates&goto=newpost
Mon, 10 Dec 2018 03:13:03 GMTI just received another batch of about a dozen 4x5 Lane plates the other day, and have gone through them. When loaded into PS, the histogram shows...I just received another batch of about a dozen 4x5 Lane plates the other day, and have gone through them. When loaded into PS, the histogram shows these skewed to the right, making me think I'm still shooting about half a stop or so too bright. OTOH, I used a B&L rapid rectilinear in Unicum shutter or c.1910 Dagor, Tessar, or Heliar lenses in either Compound or Compur. It's been cold here so maybe the shutters are running a little slow too. And, the ground is snow covered making me wonder if there's more UV light bouncing around. i meter with an incident light meter. The plates all seemed to need a significant kick up of contrast too. The "clarity" slider in PS makes them look a lot better, at least if not over done. I'm becoming more experienced with these and my results are getting better. It's getting expensive though and I hope to soon be processing my own. I enjoy the look of glass plates, and I'm thinking they're a great stepping stone for me to eventually try wet plate. And hey, I already have a stash of screwed of 4x5 glass that I can recycle for wet plate.:rolleyes:

Kent in SD

1. Fairview, SD. A year ago a drunken teenager drove fast down a dead end road. His mother put up a small memorial at the spot, and has returned several times to write brief but heart wrenching messages.

2. Baltic, SD. In 2011 a group of teenagers were tubing down the flooded Big Sioux River. All but one got out of the river before they got to the old mill dam.

]]>Two23https://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?149470-More-Dry-PlatesPost your Photos of Plants, Shrubs and Leaveshttps://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?149416-Post-your-Photos-of-Plants-Shrubs-and-Leaves&goto=newpost
Fri, 07 Dec 2018 15:44:46 GMTI see threads for flowers and for trees, but nothing for in between. So...